Launch of a New Communities Map

The ILF is excited to launch a new interactive map, which shows the depth and breadth of our work with remote communities across Australia.

Originally designed for use by people in remote communities looking for more information about the resources available to them, this public-facing map has been adapted to provide a snapshot of the work ILF does in remote communities.

With a number of different features, you can use the map to see what remote communities we work with, what books we’ve published, and the languages that are used in those areas.

This map is the result of over a year’s work, due in no small part to the work and guidance of former Program Director Tina Raye, and Small Multiples, who collaborated with the ILF on this project.

The ILF’s Technology Coordinator Peter Fitzgibbon and Graphic Designer Justine Taylor sat down with us to reflect on the process of creating this engaging, dynamic resource.

“The idea for creating this resource came from a number of different organisational needs,” says Peter. “On our website, we had a language page which included different learning resources like audio recordings, videos and animations, which at the time was the only page specifically for remote communities.

“As we’ve continued to grow, we’ve had an influx of those types of resources with every book we’ve published, and we needed a way to connect all the resources with the different language groups and remote communities we work with. After much discussion, we realised the best way to display the information would be a map.

“As a really visual and engaging resource, the map provides an easy visual reference for people to find themselves, their communities, and what services are available to their community.”

After researching a number of different maps and options available, our team found a balance between a resource that was engaging and dynamic, and still represented the Foundation and the work we do.

“We were able to use some of the beautiful artwork used in different ILF books, and we spent time selecting the right books to get the right illustrations,” Justine tells us. “I love the illustrations we’ve been able to use, because they bring real character and personality to the map.

“They’re also not your usual tourist animals. They’re far more local and really representative of the people and communities we work with. I love that an animal like a crow can be such a hero and it was very important to us to get that representation right.”

After creating and launching a version of this map with our remote community contacts, our team got together to work on the public-facing version of the map, which includes different information more suitable for our supporters.

“You can see all the communities we service, what programs are available in each community, if we’ve published books with remote communities and in what languages, and if those are available to purchase, you can buy them on our online shop,” says Peter. “But more than that, it really shows the scope of our programs - that’s the insight this map really gives for the first time.”

“Visually, it’s so engaging,” says Justine, “The content that’s in there is incredibly rich and deep. Someone can go into their own little area and compare it easily with another area on the other side of the country. And for anyone who’s interested in the work we do, it shows so much in a very beautiful, very simple way.”

The map is a dynamic resource and will be updated as our organisation continues to grow, and empower remote communities across Australia on their literacy journeys.

We hope you enjoy exploring the map and learning more about our work with remote Indigenous communities across Australia. Explore the map here.

• Posted 08 October, 2021